Breakdown Cover » AA Breakdown Cover

AA European Breakdown Cover Guide

admin — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 22:10:55 +0000

The AA is one of the largest and most well known breakdown organisations in the United Kingdom. Alongside their domestic breakdown service, the AA also provide European breakdown cover to give you that added peace of mind when driving abroad.

Breaking down whilst abroad or on holiday is never fun, and with recovery back to the UK costing around £1,000 it isn’t cheap either.

But by planning ahead and taking out European breakdown cover with The AA you can enjoy your trip in the knowledge that you’ll be covered for any breakdown eventuality.

The AA currently offer overseas breakdown cover for two different zone, UK/Ireland, and Mainland Europe. Their European breakdown cover is also available as a one-off policy (standalone), or as part of an annual policy providing year round coverage.

The annual policies come in two forms: annual multi-trip covering unlimited European trips of up to 90 days duration, or the more expensive annual long-stay for year long cover covering trips of over 90 days in length.

AA European cover includes roadside breakdown assistance with on the spot repairs or recovery to the nearest garage. As the AA don’t have patrols overseas they arrange immediate help either through local garages, or with the help of the national motoring clubs and affiliate associations overseas.

With an English speaking helpline available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, the AA will provide you with car hire or transport costs for onward journey or to return home if repair is not possible; emergency overnight accommodation if you have to wait for repairs; vehicle repatriation and legal protection for accident claims or motoring offences.

Main benefits of European Breakdown Cover from The AA

24-hour English-speaking helpline can arrange and help towards the cost of:

Emergency roadside repairs or towing to the nearest garage in over 40 European countries
Up to £2,000 cover per trip excluding unaccompanied vehicle recovery and legal expenses
Alternative transport (inc. public transport) costs to allow you to continue your journey or get home
Emergency accommodation if you have to wait for repair work to be completed
Vehicle recovery to the UK if it can’t be repaired abroad, up to the current market value of the vehicle
Location of right-hand drive parts (excludes cost of parts)
Legal protection – up to £75,000 for representation on vehicle accident claims or motoring offences (excludes fines)

There are also no excess charges for AA European Breakdown Cover.

Types of European Breakdown Cover Available

Single trip cover

Single trip cover offers breakdown cover for your vehicle for the duration of your trip to Europe, up to a maximum of 365 days.

Roadside assistance (fix at roadside or tow to nearest garage)
Find and despatch spare parts free of charge (price of parts is not included)
Up to £1,200 for emergency car hire or alternative travel arrangements. (max £120 for car hire per day)
Emergency accommodation if your car cannot be fixed at the roadside (up to £500 max £40 per person per day).
Recovery of your vehicle back to the UK if it can’t be fixed (only up to the current market value of the vehicle)
Collection of vehicle from overseas if you have to leave it while it’s being repaired (limited to one person’s costs)
Legal protection insurance up to the value of £75,000 for help and advice after a traffic accident.
Insurance for vehicles of 11 years and under.

Annual Multi-Trip Cover

Annual multi-trip cover offers breakdown cover for a person in any eligible vehicle. The cover provides 12 months’ multi-trip cover for an unlimited number of motoring trips abroad, although each individual trip within the year cannot exceed more than 90 days.

Includes all the benefits of Single Trip Cover along with:

Up to 3 claims per year.
Unlimited trips to Europe (each trip should not exceed 90 days)
Free cover for a caravan or a trailer. (within the size and weight limited set out in the policy)

European Countries The AA Cover

United Kingdom Isle of Man Channel Islands Republic of Ireland, all islands of the Mediterranean and the following countries of mainland Europe: Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Belarus, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain (excluding the islands of Ceuta and Melilla), Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey in Europe plus Uskudar, Ukraine.

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AA Car Insurance Cover Guide

admin — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 15:58:33 +0000

The AA (Automobile Association) is without question one of the leading motoring organizations currently operating in the United Kingdom.

Founded in 1905, the AA has grown into a popular financial services provider in the UK, offering a wide range of products including travel insurance, home insurance, van, motorcycle and car insurance.

The AA motor insurance arm of the company helps customers to find the cheapest car insurance quotes available on the market, and has helped to establish the AA as a major force in the car insurance industry.

With specialist insurance quotes available for classic cars and motorcycles, the AA search a group of leading insurers to discover the best available car insurance quote.

A survey taken in 2008 found that 88% of customers found that the AA car insurance premiums were cheaper than those of their previous provider.

With online savings of up to 12.5% when taking out a policy via their website it’s easy to see why the AA has become a leading provider of cheap car insurance quotes.

AA Car Insurance Includes:

35% off AA Breakdown Cover (when added to car insurance online)
24 hour UK claims line
Courtesy car as standard
Medical expenses up to £300 per person

The AA also offer their insurance customers a dedicated 24 hour claim line, along with up to £50,000 in motor legal protection, your own courtesy car while you wait for yours to be repaired, and up to £300 in medical expenses per person. New car insurance customers will also receive a 35% discount on AA breakdown cover too.

The AA currently offer four types of car insurance cover. These include:

Short Term
Women’s Car Insurance
Young Driver’s Car Insurance
Classic Car Insurance

AA Short Term Car Insurance

Short term car insurance can be a great idea if you need to borrow a vehicle or perhaps add another driver to your vehicle for a day or two. Other situations where short term car insurance can be useful include immediate drive away insurance if you’ve just bought a car, unaccompanied vehicle demonstrations, or for driving a courtesy car. AA short term car insurance is available for any insurance period lasting between 1 and 28 days, and is only valid for drivers over the age of 24 or 23 as a secondary driver.

Women’s AA Car Insurance

The AA also provide specialist insurance cover for female drivers. Because female drivers’ claims tend to be less costly than male drivers, the AA can offer women’s car insurance at a more competitive rate with a good range of benefits.

Young Driver’s AA Car Insurance

Young drivers who are looking to insure their first car often have to pay the highest premiums when compared with older drivers with more experience. This is mainly down to the fact that young drivers are seen as a higher risk to insurers, and are statistically more likely to have accidents when compared with older drivers. It is possible to greatly reduce young drivers insurance premiums by driving very carefully for the first year of cover and earning a no claims discount.

AA Classic Car Insurance

AA classic car insurance provides cover for car owners above the age of 25 who own a car that is more than 15 years old. The AA’s classic car insurance cover prides itself of delivering the very best deals at the lowest prices.

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AA Call Boxes – A Complete Guide

admin — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 21:36:07 +0000

These characteristic black and yellow buildings were once “the lighthouses of the road.” (1) In times past, motoring enthusiasts relied upon them for directions, breakdown help, and support throughout their travels.

Individually numbered, each AA call box had its own sentry and well-documented location.

At first, these buildings were intended as shelters for road patrols. Over time, they came to be used by AA members. A stranded motorist had nothing more to do than call and give the number of the kiosk, and help was on the way. The easily recognized logo meant that a traveller could find a light, maps, fire extinguisher, and many other items whenever they were needed.

As technology progressed, telephones and other communication devices were added. Ironically, however, it was the further development of technology that eventually caused the AA sentry box to become obsolete. Shortly after the turn of the century, the number of AA call boxes had shrunk from over 1,000 to a mere 21. By 2010, there were even fewer.

Not even one of them had been in use for years. Many were in dire need of repair or relocation.

AA Call Boxes Offered Assistance for Early Motorists

1911 First call box installed: Ashtead, Surrey (RAC).
1912 First AA call box manufactured.
1912-1919 AA call boxes used by sentries. Well-connected network and communication.
1920 AA members receive keys to call boxes for independent use.
1921 Design Standard: Cross-gable roof.

In the early 1900s, AA sentry boxes were an innovative way to make motoring about the countryside safer for everyone.

Up through the year 1919, AA watchmen (who were called sentries) manned the booths. They stood at the ready to serve any travelling member of the Automobile Association. They provided roadside assistance, communication, directions, and even sometimes medical help or transport.

Their uniforms and bright yellow vehicles were welcome sights for virtually everyone on the road. By the 1920s, AA members were given their own personal keys to open the buildings (3). The term “call box” began to replace “sentry box” in common parlance.

Their unique cross-gable roof design made AA’s boxes easily identifiable. Boxes were fitted with oil lamps to provide light for travellers who might be taking shelter within.

The Prime of AA Call Boxes

1930 Design standard: AA plaques, box numbers, ridge louvres, gables.
1930-40 individual numbering of AA call boxes complete.
1942-49 Box 472 built. Includes oil lamp and pulley.
1956 Manufacturer contracted: Enham Industries, Alamein, Hampshire. Enham Mk IV model introduced. Designer unknown.
1956-67 Design standard: Black and yellow, winged livery logo, door with glass window. Interiors include 1- button telephones, chipboard flooring, and cupboards. Box 472 modified to suit new design.

In their prime, AA call boxes were rectangular black kiosks with bright yellow detailing. Each was numbered individually for easy location and identification. A stranded motorist had only to use the key, open the box, and pick up the one-button telephone inside.

A simple “I am at box 472” would be all that was needed to dispatch help immediately. All kiosks were equipped with fire extinguishers, pulley lamps, maps, and sometimes other supplies. They were large enough for adequate shelter from the weather.

There were over 1000 call boxes throughout the UK. All were used frequently. Around the middle 50s, Enham industries was contracted to design and manufacture the boxes. The company employed many ex-servicemen. One of them may well have designed the popular Mk IV style that soon became standard (4).

Up to 1967, AA call boxes were all fitted with identical yellow”winged livery” logos, number plaques, and telephones (5).

Popularity of AA Call Boxes Began To Fade

1967 AA call boxes re-badged with new square logo
Post 1967 AA sentry boxes no longer produced
1970 AA call boxes phased out in favour of more economical designs
1970-80 Small cabinets and free-standing phones replace manned booths
1980-1989 Final phones installed on posts. Box 472 obsolete
1990-99 All remaining call boxes re-branded: Square logos returned to original winged logo

No new call boxes were produced after 1967. However, in that same year, all the boxes were re-fitted with the company’s new square logo. This began the decline of the AA call boxes. There was a gradual phasing out of the boxes during the 1970s.

Newer, smaller, and cheaper cabinets took the place of the full sized constructions. Later, these were reduced further to simple free-standing pedestal phones. By the mid 1980s, the final phones on posts were installed.

The remaining call boxes, few of which were ever even visited, did receive a bit more attention in the 1990s. The square logo badges were re-branded- back to the original winged design. (5) Nothing was done to the box numbers. The AA call box was slowly becoming a piece of the past.

Soon, new technology would make them even less important.

New Technology Made AA Call Boxes Obsolete

2001-02 Many AA call boxes become government property. Boxes relabelled. Connected to local telephone services.
2002 AA shuts down network, plans for disposal and transport of buildings. Only 21 AA call boxes remain standing.
Sept 2002 Box 472 restoration project idea begins.
2003 AA call boxes listed as historic landmarks.
Aug 2009 Restoration of AA Box 472 completed.
2009 Public appeal for restoration or re-siting of other AA call boxes.
April 2010 Box 472 survives first winter. Becomes mini-museum with regular visitors.

By 2001, over half of the AA call boxes had been taken over by government agencies. Those that were taken were relabelled and connected to local telephone networks (2). A phone call would now summon not the AA patrolman, but a uniformed official.

Fewer and fewer people eve needed these phones. Mobile technology and cellular devices made them unnecessary. By 2002, the Automobile Association shut down its network, and began to provide for disposal and transport of the buildings.

They were soon listed as historic landmarks, rather than functioning roadway items. A small group of gentlemen took interest in one particular sentry box, carefully restoring it to its former condition (1). Box 472, as it was called, survived its first winter, and became a mini-museum of AA call box history.

Public appeals were made for others to join the respiration effort in other communities (4). At present, some boxes have been re-sited, others transported to museums, and some remain in need of attention.

AA Box Locations

Here are the locations of the last remaining AA call boxes, if you happen to know of any we’ve missed or would like to share some photos or clearer directions for the boxes, then please contact us.

Box 753 – B974, the Cairn o’ Mount road south of Banchory, Glen Dye.

Box 746 – Looking south towards Grantown-on-Spey. At the junction of the A939 and A940 at Dava.

Box 723 – A708 Cappercleuch St Marys Loch.

Box 714 – A96 Aberdeen to Inverness road at Threapland near Lhanbryde.

Box 573 – Garrowby Hill.

Box 530 – A149 near Brancaster.

Box 504 – Sutherland on the old A9 between Tain and Ardgay.

Box 487 – A591 North of Grasmere, Lakes, Cumbria LA22 9RS.

Box 472 – Cambus O’May, A93, Aberdeenshire AB35 5SE.

Box 456 – A3052 towards the junction with the B3180 road. Its postcode is EX5 2JP.

Box 442 – A684 south, just over a mile east of the turn to Aysgarth Falls.

Box 372 – A556/A50, Mere.

Box 189 – Bakewell, Derbyshire.

Box 175 – Glasgow’s Museum of Transport.

Box 161 – Junction of A479 with A40.

Box 44 – Amberley Working Museum.

Box 45 – National Phone Museum, Avoncroft.

Box 162 – NPM, Avoncroft.

Box 645 – Ulster Folk and Transport Museum.

AA Call Boxes Have Become a Part of History

The AA call box is a uniquely UK phenomenon, a long-standing piece of history. It calls to mind the days when a young woman out motoring could count on assistance for a sprained ankle. She fell while driving, and so summoned a passing AA patrolman. He relayed the message to every single AA sentry box on the road to Southampton. The girl’s parent were flagged down and informed of their child’s injury (2). This kind of personal connection with strangers seems nearly impossible today.

Perhaps it is not only the AA call box that has become a part of history. Perhaps something that is less tangible has also faded into the past.

Sources:
1. http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/Article.aspx/1357379?UserKey
2. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/2267539.stm
3. http://www.aabox472.webs.com
4. http://www.thisisplymouth.co.uk/news/Devon-s-AA-box-needs-new-guardian/article-721454-detail/article.html
5. http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/search?q=AA

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AA Car Badges – A Complete Guide

admin — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 20:33:38 +0000

In June 1905, the British Automobile Association (AA) was created in London’s “Trocadero” restaurant. According to well-respected sources, one of the initial reasons for the creation of this club was to protect members from “speed traps,” along with education about driving laws, provision of maps and a meeting place where auto enthusiasts could talk about cars.

The AA has provided many services to its members over the years – including driving instruction, breakdown assistance, and publications, like maps and the “AA Member’s Special Handbook”. For many years, the official headquarters for the AA was Basingstoke, United Kingdom.The AA continually grew over the years, adding more services as the automobile industry expanded. By 1914, there were more than 80,000 members in the AA. By 1939, nearly 35% of all UK drivers were members of the AA. As of 2008, there were an estimated 12 million members of the club.

Every member of the Automobile Association received a car badge that could be attached to their vehicles radiator grill using screws. There are rumours that at the time Police officers often gave preferential treatment to motorists with AA badges displayed prominently on their cars. Over time, these AA car badges have become collector’s items: Automobilia.

The AA Car Badges Numbering System

The first 100 badges were issued in April 1906; these early badges can be easily traced, but later badges are more difficult to track. Initially, badges were made of brass, and over time this metal was replaced with nickel, and then white-metal chrome.

The first secretary of the AA was Stenson Cooke. Early versions of the AA badge had the word, “secretary” written on the front, with the reverse including a phone number. The round AA badge, was referred to as the Stenson Cooke badge or Frying Pan design after it was issued in 1906.

There are a variety of different badge styles – the most common being the square, oval and two-piece intertwined “AA” letters on a metal front plate with a separate yellow background plate (shaped like the outline of a light bulb).

The AA numbering system is based on an assigned “issuing number.” Early versions of this issuing number that have fewer than five digits were listed on the leg of the badge. When numbers grew larger to six digits, the number was moved to the top of the circle. Some have been confused about the serial number listed on the badges, believing that these were membership numbers; but, they are actually specially-assigned issuing numbers.

Common AA Badge Styles

The 1906 to 1911 badge style was the first series with a simplified “AA” pattern. It had a shorter leg than later versions. From 1907 to 1967, there were square badges with a yellow background made; in 1967 this square was replaced with a round design.

The most common AA badge was derived from the combination of the original “AA” for the Automobile Association lettering with the “M” from the Motor Union after the two organisations merged in 1911. They combined the letters creating an intertwined “AA” lettering that resembled an “M” from a distance. This pattern ran from 1911 to 1945.

The “AA” design, size, type and metal changed after 1925 when only nickel or chrome was used instead of brass. There were only 10,000 copies of the winged long shank version, which was started in 1930. After 1945, the style changed with a more oval shape and the addition of a convex bulge replacing the flat surface. Different styles have different locations for the holes for screwing the badges onto the cars: one on either side, two at the bottom or in all four places.

There are a couple of supplementary types of badges that include the 1914 to 1920, pentagon-shaped, light-car badge for two or three seaters with only 11.9 horsepower. The other rare variety is a Commercial Vehicle Section brass badge that was manufactured from 1911 to 1930 with a red background in a basket-weave design; after 1930 it was chrome. There are also smaller badges made for motorcycle enthusiasts that had a heart-shaped token on them during World War I.

Badges from the British Empire (South Africa, New Zealand, and Zambia) are very rare.

A pennant on top of the badge’s circle signified that the owner was a member of the Automobile Association Committee. Since these AA badges officially belonged to the membership club, they were supposed to be returned when membership ended. An “R” stamp below the serial number means that the badge was returned and reissued.

The text on later AA car badges includes the following:

“Property of the {local club location} This badge must be returned when membership ceases”.

Here is a list of the most common AA badges in collections:

The original brass “AA” lettering
The chrome-plated metal “AA” lettering crossed, two pieces with metal front piece and yellow back
piece can be inserted behind lettering, winged insignia on top,
AA Car Essentials, magnetic GB plate badge for rear of vehicle, black lettering with white background,
Square piece with “AA” in black lettering has yellow background
Oval-shaped “GB” car badge in black lettering, gray background
White silver “AA” letters crossed, winged insignia on top, grayish background
Hexagon-shaped insignia, “AA” is enclosed in what looks like a necklace with an open clasp in front,
basket weave background, two holes on either side and at bottom (rare)
AA Relay with arrows, black lettering and yellow background
British Empire pieces (rare)

Decoding The AA Badge Serial Number

AA Car Badge Numbering System:

1 to 999,999 = issuing date between 1906 and 1930
A – P suffix = issuing date between 1930 and 1945
RST suffix = issuing date between 1946 and 1956 [flat motorcycle badges]
WXYZA suffix = issuing date between 1956 and 1967 [domed motorcycle badges]
0A to 0Z prefix = issuing date between 1945 and 1957
1A to 9A prefix = issuing date between 1957 and 1959
1B to 9B prefix = issuing date between 1960 and 1961
1C to 9C prefix = issuing date between 1962 and 1963
1D to 9D prefix = issuing date between 1964 and 1965
1E to 9E prefix = issuing date between 1966 and 1967

Pricing AA Badges

AA car badges can be purchased at markets selling automobile collections. Web sites also sell these AA car badges. Try to verify the authenticity of the piece by comparing its issuing number to style for that period.

Finding car badges in the original packaging adds value to a piece. Some of the most attractive AA car badges are the chrome-plated metal badges in pristine shape that shimmer in the light. Accessories include fixing bolts and crossed box keys.

The prices for AA car badges range from a couple UK pounds to hundreds of UK pounds.

Issues that affect an AA car badge price include the following:

Condition (Unopened, new and unused are more valuable)
Age
Rarity
Style

The rich history of the Automobile Association makes AA car badges an interesting collection item. These badges have a number of styles. Use the AA car badge numbering system to verify the authenticity of an item you are considering by matching the issuing date to the style of that period.

History Of The AA – A Complete Guide

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M5 Tyre Change Highlights The Importance Of Breakdown Cover

admin — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 11:20:32 +0000

Earlier this month, the emergency services were contacted when concerned motorists noticed a couple who were changing a tyre in the fast lane of the M5.

This absurd and extremely dangerous situation further highlights the benefits of having a breakdown assistance policy.

Commenting on the matter, a spokesperson for the AA said, “The most important thing at a breakdown is to get the car to the hard shoulder whenever possible and call the emergency services for help,” said Andrew Howard, head of road safety at the breakdown cover firm.

“A breakdown may prove costly but it’s a lot cheaper than a life.”

The highway code clearly states that drivers that experience a vehicle breakdown whilst travelling along the motorway should pull on to the hard shoulder – or switch their hazard lights on if they are unable to move.

Warning triangles should not be used on motorways and drivers should never attempt their own repairs.

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History Of The AA – A Complete Guide

admin — Sun, 16 May 2010 13:55:08 +0000

The UK Automobile Association (AA) has a long history as a motoring association. Begun as a small group of motoring enthusiasts, the AA has assisted drivers for more than 100 years.

Today, the AA is a private limited company continuing to provide over 15 million members motoring assistance as well as car insurance, driving lessons, travel advice and financial services.

Beginnings: Bicycle Patrolmen

On June 29, 1905, a group of motoring enthusiasts met in the Trocadero restaurant in the West End of London. On that day, the UK Automobile Assocation was born. It began with a mere 100 members. The original purpose of the organisation was to provide moral support to motorists. Faster, noisier cars were appearing rapidly on roads, sometimes upsetting other drivers and road users. The Motor Car Act 1903, which came into effect one year later in 1904, had introduced speeding fines to UK motorists. Driving offences were be displayed as ‘Endorsements’ on a motorists’ driving licence. Thus, one of the primary goals of the newborn organization was helping motorists avoid police speed traps and offences on their driving records.

In 1906, the members of the AA began erecting thousands of roadside warning and danger signs. These were the first effective roadside safety signs in the UK. The AA continued to take responsibility for all roadside signs until the early 1930s, when local authorities took over.

In 1907, AA members took to to bicycles as the association’s first patrolmen. These early patrolmen were known as cycle scouts. They patrolled local streets, often cycling back to warn motorists of police speed traps ahead. They also assisted broken-down motorists by performing on-the-spot repairs or cycling off to retrieve further assistance. By 1909 nearly 1000 cycle scouts patrolled the streets, all wearing standard AA uniforms.

The AA Members’ Special Handbook was published for the first time in 1908. Travelling by car was becoming increasingly popular. To cope with the growing need, the AA appointed local motorist assistance agents and vehicle repairers for the benefit of members travelling throughout the UK.

In 1909 AA’s free legal system was introduced, supporting drivers summoned by magistrates courts. From the very beginning the AA advocated on behalf of drivers. In the historic 1910 legal test case ‘Betts -v- Stevens’, the chief justice ruled that a patrolman signalling a driver to reduce speed in order to avoid a police speed trap was obstructing an officer. Afterward, the AA used a coded warning system that lasted until the 1960s. A patrolman would salute the driver of a car displaying an AA Badge, except in the presence of an approaching speed trap. This warned the driver to reduce their speed in a way that could never be prosecuted by a court.

AA patrolmen were often asked to provide route guidance to motorists. In 1910, the AA produce its first route maps, which were initially handwritten. Routes and places of interest were constantly added, and as many as 7000 maps were circulating by the late 1920s. Overseas maps were also added. In 1912, the AA began inspecting hotels and restaurants, assigning an AA Star Classification to quality establishments. Quality hotels and restaurants were then included in later editions of the Members’ Handbook.

Bigger, Faster, and Safer through Technology

By 1914, the AA had 83,000 members. Motor bike patrols had begun to complement bicycle patrolmen. Motor bike sidecars also allowed patrolmen to carry more repair tools and equipment and better assist motorists in need. These motor bike side car teams became known as Road Service Outfits. By 1938 motor bikes with sidecar had largely replaced bicycles for patrolmen, with up to 1500 sidecar teams on patrol at any given time. Uniformed patrolmen would begin the day’s work at a main base, then set out on a planned route looking for any vehicle in need of assistance. AA Roadside telephone boxes were introduced in 1920, enabling members to call for assistance from remote locations.

The AA had proven quite successful in protecting members from speed traps as well as defending members caught in them. The Road Traffic Act 1930 finally eliminated the 20 mph speed limit which had been in effect since 1896. However, the Road Traffic Act 1934 re-introduced a speed limit of 30 mph in urban areas, although speedometers were not required in vehicles until 1937. The AA has continued to protect its motorists from speed traps to this day.

By 1939 the AA had 725,000 members. This was equal to 35% of the 2 million total cars on the road in the United Kingdom. When wartime petrol rationing continued after the end of World War II, the AA continued its role as motorists’ advocates and led protests. The protest campaign succeeded and rationing was lifted in 1950.

The end of World War II also brought more motorists onto the road and more members to the organisation. In 1949, the AA began to move toward four wheel patrols. It purchased a fleet of the new Series 1 Land Rovers to this end. The Land Rovers were considered ideal for AA patrolmen as they could hold more equipment and reach motorists in need in the furthest parts of the country and in all weathers. Over the next twenty years the motor bike sidecars were slowly replaced by cars and vans of the time, enhanced to provide better roadside assistance. However, solo motor bikes returned in 1972 to provide assistance through congested traffic in urban areas.

Two-way radio was introduced after World War II. Making use of this new technology, the AA launched its night-time breakdown and recovery service in London and the surrounding areas in 1949. The service was eventually expanded to most of Britain. With the beginning of commercial radio in the UK, AA Roadwatch came into being in 1973. It is now Europe’s biggest broadcaster on traffic conditions. 1973 also saw the launch of AA relay, a service that guaranteed to transport a broken-down vehicle and driver as well as any passengers, luggage, and trailer, anywhere in Britain.

Expansion: Insurance and Innovations

The AA’s insurance brokerage service, established in 1967, was very popular from the outset. The AA also sells home, travel and other specialist cover. It is now the UK’s largest motor and home insurance company. The AA also offers loans, instalment payment facilities and savings accounts to members and outside customers through its Financial Services.

In 1973 the AA relocated from its historic premises in London’s Leicester Square, where it had been based since 1908, to Fanum House in Basingstoke, Hampshire. The AA continued to expand its role as an advocate for motorist safety by campaigning publicly for the compulsory wearing of safety belts, which became law in 1983. The organisation also campaigned for lead-free petrol. In 1992 the AA began its Driving School franchise, and currently has more than 1,800 instructors.

The AA expanded its publication activities in the 90s, producing a vast number of maps and travel guides to destinations both in the UK and around the world. The AA is now the largest travel publisher in the UK and one of the top 10 in the world, with titles in 29 languages.

By 1994, AA membership was at 8 million. In 1999, with great support by membership vote, the AA demutualised and was bought by Centrica for £1.1 billion. After the purchase by Centrica, the AA relocated its headquarters to Farnborough, Hampshire, in 2001. The company was then sold again to the leading European private equity firms, CVC and Permira, in 2005 for £1.75 billion. Following this sale, the AA moved its headquarters back to Basingstoke.

In 2002, the AA Motoring Trust was created to continue the organisation’s non-commercial motoring and road safety work. 2003 also saw the introduction of the AA mobility service, which won the innovation of the year award from the ‘Insurance Times’. All customers with comprehensive coverage now receive a courtesy car after any breakdown that cannot be repaired at the roadside, regardless of the circumstances of their claim.

Further innovations include the online Route Planner, introduced in 2004, which provides street-level detail on all British routes. That year also saw the launch of the AA Car Buyer’s Guide, which provides information and services related to purchasing a new or used car. In addition, a new series of travel books called Key Guides was released. In July 2004 the new AA Telephone Savings Account was also introduced. In 2006, the AA continued to protect its members from speeding fines by including the location of thousands of speed cameras on its road map. This was the first time such information was available in the form of a map.

In 2007 CVC Permira merged with Charterhouse’s Saga. The AA was valued at £3.35 billion during the deal. The annual JD Power survey ranked the AA number one among UK roadside assistance providers in 1999, 2000, 2002, 2004. Current membership is estimated at over 15 million. In 2008, the AA received 5.6 million calls, of which 3.6 million required assistance.

RAC Voted Best Customer Service In UK Poll

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AA Patrols In Strike Action Over Pensions

admin — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 16:15:49 +0000

AA patrols have today voted in support of strike action in a row over pension caps. According to the AA’s union, The Independent Democratic Union, members have backed strike action by 57 per cent in a high turnout of 87 per cent of its 2,400 members.

The union national secretary Alistair Maclean said it was clear there was ‘widespread anger’ over plans to cap employee pensions, with the union urging the the AA to hold fresh talks, otherwise strike dates will be set.

Mr Maclean went on to add that AA staff were set to lose thousands of pounds following new changes to their pension pay-outs – a move that they found ‘completely unacceptable’.

If the walkout goes ahead it will be the first of its kind for the motoring organisation.

President of the AA, Edmund King, commented that talk of industrial action was ‘premature’ as consultations on the changes did not finish until April 23.

‘Most companies have closed defined benefit pension schemes but the AA is endeavouring to keep its scheme open but put a cap on pensionable earnings.

‘It would be easier and cheaper to close it down, so we think we are offering a good deal. We hope there will not be industrial action.’

The motoring group said it has drawn up contingency plans to make sure there was a good breakdown service if strikes went ahead.

AA Jetpacks For AA Breakdown Patrols

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AA Jetpacks For AA Breakdown Patrols

admin — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 23:50:11 +0000

The AA have today unveiled the next step in breakdown response, the AA Rocketmen patrols.

With heavy traffic congestion and extreme weather playing a huge part in determining breakdown attendance times, the AA have been secretly testing out the new AA Jetpacks in a series of undercover trials at Dunsfold Aerodrome near Guildford.

Known as ‘Project Apollo’, the new AA Jetpacks will allow AA Patrols to reach vehicles that other motoring organisations simply cannot.

Edmund King, AA president, said: “We are always looking at ways to get to our members quicker. Congestion is a growing problem particularly in urban areas, at Bank Holidays and in poor weather conditions.

“The initial test flights have gone well – we’ve struck a good balance between stability and manoeuvrability – and we’re working on an ultra-lightweight toolkit that should allow us to do most ‘quick fix’ repairs. Obviously, we won’t be able to do any towing but the benefits more than outweigh this – it will be nice not worrying about potholes, for a start.”

AA Jetpack Test Video

The AA plan to test out the new AA Jetpacks later today on the M25 between Surrey and Heathrow Airport, with the Transport Department and the Civil Aviation Authority expected to rule on whether the new initiative will be extended across the whole of Britain over the coming year.

The AA jetpack specification:

Top speed 100kph (60mph)
Weight 113kg (250lb)
No pilot’s licence required due to light weight
Hand controls
Satellite Navigation provided by Trafficmaster
Parachute
Lightweight carbon fibre tools
£42,000 cost per unit

More information at theaa.com

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